My Birthday: A Roller Coaster Ride. No, Really!

We spent my birthday on the road, driving the second 14 hour day home from Idaho. I was at the helm when we reached Missouri. The plan was to continue on Hwy 7 until it turned into Hwy 13, which is a four-lane dual highway; straight and fairly sparsely traveled, an easy ride. Leanne and I were visiting on the phone (earpiece in use, of coarse) when I saw a sign for Hwy 7 to turn right, just as she told me that she and her hubby were expecting their first child. So, I turned right while expressing my glee. We visited for a few more minutes and then I continued to drive in happy silence and contemplation while Steve slept in the back seat. Soon I found myself on a wonderful twisty, roller-coaster highway. The beautiful Ozarks provided vistas visible on the hills, the tree-lined highway was every bit a glorious ribbon that dipped and turned. The drops were so deep that I barely used the accelerator to maintain my 55mph (ahem!) speed even to crest the top of the next hill. I had THE BEST time! I quietly "Wheeeeied" and "Wooo-hoooed" ...for 8o miles! There was no one else on the highway and I kept thinking, "This is the best birthday, EVER!" ...until I realized that I hadn't found Hwy 13... oops! We figured out how to get back on track without having lost any progression toward our destination. The ride was certainly worth the scenic detour. Pure serendipity!

When we arrived home there was this festive sign to greet us!

And Emilie had sneakily left a gift for me to find on the table!

She had found a fabulous bowl like one I had admired as a guest for supper at her boyfriend's house the week before she left. Her perfect planning provided a very special and thoughtful surprise!

Sue Gaston, the author of my festive Happy Birthday sign, had also left a most welcomed gift. Finally! A subscription to the paper!

My sister's package had arrived with fun and funky earrings; perfectly suited to my two newest shirts! How does she do that?My mother gave me a copy of one of my favorite photos ever: my grandmother stitching while sitting in her "Wintergarten" (I'll be sure to scan it for the blog); and my mother-in-law added to my Jim Shore collection. A very merry birthday and welcome home from a long trip!I also received cheery text messages and phone calls throughout the day.

Thank you so much for making what could have been a difficult birthday into a very special one!